Saturday, September 02, 2006

Sunday Scribblings - Fortune Cookie

This week's prompt at Sunday Scribblings is "Fortune Cookie." This brings up all kinds of lovely memories for me. I used to love fortune cookies so much that I bought a huge bag of them from the bulk food store and kept them in my car. Whenever I had a passenger (which was a lot!) I would make sure that they took one and read their fortune. Most people thought I was a bit crazy. But then I was also the girl with a massive sunglasses collection who made people put on a pair as soon as they got into my car. (My huge silver Elton John glittery ones were the most popular.) They don't do fortune cookies if you get Chinese takeaway in the UK, so I haven't had my fortune told for a long time.

The last time someone told my fortune they didn't say a word about living in another country so I discounted most of the things that they said. The time before that a friend's boyfriend claimed to be a palm reader. He took one look at my palm, shook his head and refused to tell me what was there. He acted like I was going to die the next day. The time before that I went to see a proper 'psychic.' That was a more believable experience. He talked about other things - how I had a beautiful aura and about my past lives. Apparently I was a bit of a hell raiser in most of them. I wonder if that explains why I can be quite timid at times in this life. Interesting.

But back to the cookie. I think that they are an untapped resource in our quest for love, satisfaction and enlightenment. After all, most of the time when you eat fortune cookies you are with a group of people. How many times have you opened one to find that it is the same fortune as another person you are with? I think that the next time I am going to have fortune cookies I will make my own. I will make my own and fill them with laughter and wishes and joy and possibilities. Some people believe in fate and others believe that we make our own fate. This way they can both be right!!

Fortune Cookie Recipe
taken from here.

Fortune cookies can be tricky to make - it's important to make sure that the cookie batter is spread out evenly on the baking sheet. Instead of using the back of a wooden spoon to spread the batter, it's better to gently tilt the baking sheet back and forth as needed. Wearing cotton gloves makes it easier to handle and shape the hot cookies. This fortune cookie recipe makes about 10 cookies.

INGREDIENTS:

  • 2 large egg whites
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 8 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 8 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3 teaspoons water

PREPARATION:

1. Write fortunes on pieces of paper that are 3 1/2 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. Preheat oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 2 9-X-13 inch baking sheets.

2. In a medium bowl, lightly beat the egg white, vanilla extract, almond extract and vegetable oil until frothy, but not stiff.

3. Sift the flour, cornstarch, salt and sugar into a separate bowl. Stir the water into the flour mixture.

4. Add the flour into the egg white mixture and stir until you have a smooth batter. The batter should not be runny, but should drop easily off a wooden spoon.

5. Place level tablespoons of batter onto the cookie sheet, spacing them at least 3 inches apart. Gently tilt the baking sheet back and forth and from side to side so that each tablespoon of batter forms into a circle 4 inches in diameter.

6. Bake until the outer 1/2-inch of each cookie turns golden brown and they are easy to remove from the baking sheet with a spatula (14 - 15 minutes).

7. Working quickly, remove the cookie with a spatula and flip it over in your hand. Place a fortune in the middle of a cookie. To form the fortune cookie shape, fold the cookie in half, then gently pull the edges downward over the rim of a glass, wooden spoon or the edge of a muffin tin. Place the finished cookie in the cup of the muffin tin so that it keeps its shape. Continue with the rest of the cookies.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I loved this post, especially the glimpse into your personality (the sunglass collection makes me wish I knew you in my real life). And you know...I've never thought about being able to make my own fortune cookies, and I love the idea! I'll have to try this recipe.

Thanks!

Laini Taylor said...

I've always wanted to make fortune cookies! How fun it would be to come up with wacky and beautiful fortunes. A great idea for a party. I also loved the image of your car full of sunglasses and cookies -- how wonderful!

paris parfait said...

How terrific that you carried a bag of fortune cookies - and spare sunglasses - for people riding in your car. What fun! And a recipe for fortune cookies -sounds like the perfect party trick - before the guests arrive, write special fortunes for each of them. Very entertaining post!

NuttersNotes said...

What a glorious day on SundayScribblings!! After posting my rant, I wanted to 1)learn the history of fortune cookies (which I did on another post) and 2)get a fortune cookie recipe.

Thank you so much.....I have added making fortune cookies to my list!!

Anonymous said...

I love the idea that you have sunglasses for your friends who ride with you! Great idea. I also have a link to making fortune cookies on my blog for SS this week, though I didn't take the time to write it out.

Amber said...

That fortune cookies in your car idea, has to be one of the best ideas ever! That would make me smile all day, if I got in your car to find a bag-o-fortune cookies.

:)

Catherine said...

What fun, to make one's own fortune cookies! I think I'll have to try that.

Kamsin said...

Being a Brit I'm still not quite fully understanding the excitment over this fortune cookie business, and I guess I'm of the 'you make your own fortune' school of thought. But making any kind of cookie is always fun (but can I call them biscuits?!), so thanks for the recipe.

Anonymous said...

thank you for posting this receipe. I shall try my hands out at making a batch.

Colorsonmymind said...

This really inspires me to make some!

I have never had a great fortune cookie. I guess now I can.

I think the sunglasses and fortune cookies for the passengers of your car-is awsome.

Wish I could take a cruise with you in your car.

XOXO

Endment said...

Thanx for the fortune cookie recipe
I needed it just now :)

SC said...

We always joke that many fortune cookies are in fact 'statement cookies'-that say a quote, but not a fortune!! If I am going to eat a fortune cookie, I want a fortune!!! Not a statement!! :)

Jessie said...

"How many times have you opened one to find that it is the same fortune as another person you are with?"

I've only gotten the same fortune as someone else once in my life--and he is the man I married. The fortune read something like: "You will make a profitable investment." We (obviously) invested in love, not money. :) And we keep the fortunes in the box that my engagement ring came in. Dang, maybe I should have written about that for this prompt! I didn't even think of it until now.

Anyway, a ride in your car sounds like lots of fun. Making fortune cookies on my own, however, sounds like tooooo much work. ;)

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of passing out fortune cookies (and funky sunglasses) to passengers. I would have loved catching a ride with you :)
Thanks for the recipe!

Ceebie said...

Cool idea(s) - the making your own fortune (cookies), the fortune cookie in the passenger seat, and the sunglasses.

rel said...

Megg,
you are an imaginative and clever girl!
Leave it to you to take fate itno your own hands.
btw, next time I'm in England, can I go for a ride in your car with you? ;-)
rel

Patry Francis said...

I just printed your fortune cookie recipe. The next time I have a party I'm going to promise blue skies and true love to every one I own, all encased in a sweet cookie.

Wonderful post--and prompt.

Deirdre said...

It sounds fun to make fortune cookies. I may try it someday. I'm so sorry you don't have fortune cookies in England. Especially because you love them so much.